Most of us saw the 1989 movie titled “Lean on Me” which starred Morgan Freeman as Principal Joe Clark. He turned a Paterson New Jersey high school, Eastside High, into a model for all high schools to follow.Joe Clark and Morgan Freeman Crazy Joe was a former Army drill instructor with a bachelor’s in elementary education from William Paterson College and a master’s in Education from Seton Hall. His tough love worked to rid Eastside of derelicts, ensure an atmosphere conducive for learning and brought out the best in his student body. He had no time for blaming this one or that one for their problems or situations. He had no time for excuses. What he had time for was to be a motivating factor in the respective student’s achievements. But he knew and said it as much, the individual is the one who has to do it. Here are a quote from the movie:
“My motto is simple: If you do not succeed in life, I don't want you to blame your parents. I don't want you to blame the White Man. I want you to blame yourselves. The responsibility is yours!”
With that being said I worked in a High school Thursday and saw a man who....how can I say this with out being offensive? O.k. I got it....that sucka is straight crazy!! No wait, he is out of his cartoon loving mind- better yet Joe Clark Jr. is taking expired medication from 1983! Here is the situation: A student ran up to me and asked me would I explain to the Principal that she is suppose to be in my class because he is trying to send her back to class. I said o.k. I will go speak to him, but only if she allowed me to do all the talking! So off we went and there was Joe Clark Jr. Standing down the hall yelling on his walkie talkie standing three foot 8 inches short! I opened my mouth to speak, but was quickly interrupted by him screaming at the my student about disrespecting him. I again tried to speak when he looked at me and stuck his index finger ( i think he had a booger on it to -gross) in my face and told me that I couldn't speak to him until he finished saying what he had to say and then and only then could I speak. It took everything I had to remain cool because the students were all watching us now. I listened to Joe Jr and then I apologized for the disruption and took all the blame for the issue and tried to explain the student was suppose to be in my class and I didn't have her hall pass but she should have explained to him in another respectful way. Joe Jr. said he didn't care what I had to say and was kicking her out of school for 5 days. As I looked in his eyes and noticed this sucker foaming at the moan, I knew I should just walk away. I informed my supervisor who was able to get the student to remain in school but not back in the class.
This situation really bothered me, mostly because this man is what I consider a house negro. He is giving up on these students at this school (because its an alternative school) and he doesn't even try to encourage a change in students. He is just being a bully who gets a paycheck by the system. I took time to just observe this guy further. He intimidated most of the students and almost challenged them to fights. He gets cussed out by everyone that passed by him. I think he has short man syndrome. I don't know, I guess I expect more from a black man in authority. Am I asking to much for someone to do their job and care just a little bit about the finished product.
All I am saying is that.... we gotta pick our own battles while owning our various selves.....
I am Ward not Joe Clark Jr........
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